The functions of methods of change in management consulting

States that highly structured methods and tools for bringing about organizational change are frequent features in both the management literature and the practice of management consultants. Reports that, in order to understand the nature and popularity of these methods and tools, a study of the availability and use of methods in business process re‐engineering (BPR) projects was carried out in five large consulting companies. Identifies six functions of methods on the basis of this study. Finds that methods play important roles both in the consulting organization and in the consultant’s interaction with the client in the specific change project. Also reveals that common to the identified functions is an ability to store and transfer knowledge, which contributes to the change process interface for clients and consultants. Shows also that consulting companies with very different professional backgrounds have very similar approaches to BPR projects. Identifies and comments on the similarities between these companies’ methods in respect of managing change.